392 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. 



stock to pick over. When utilised in their immature state the stalks and 

 husks, besides being more palatable on account of their greater moisture 

 content, contain more nutriment, and are relished to a greater extent than 

 the drier material. 



Roughage rots quicker ami more satisfactorily when turned under senii- 

 green.~The usual practice is to turn under the dry stalks and other rubbish 

 with a single-furrow disc plough during the autumn, the field being left in 

 fallow throughout the winter. To the maize-grower this method is satis- 

 factory, for the stalks, &c., are sufficiently decomposed not to interfere with 

 spring cultural operations. 



To the farmer who grows catch crops or adopts rotations, however, the 

 stalks cause considerable inconvenience. Cut into short lengths and ploughed 

 under, or turned under as above, tliey keep the ground open or hinder other 

 f^vming operations, should it be necessarj- to work the same portion of land 

 again early. Cutting off and carting out means loss of time. Burning is a 

 waste. It has been found, however, that when turned under in a semi-green 

 state decomposition takes place rapidly. 



Laud available for sulsequen' sowings earlier. — One of the chief advantages 

 of kiln-drying maize is that the land becomes available for cropping earlier 

 than under normal conditions. This is important, for one of the farmers' 

 main drawbacks (especially the mixed agriculturist) is want of time, and to 

 shorten the maturing period of his maize fi'om four to six weeks means that 

 his autumn crops can he sown at the proper time. It is well known that to 

 be a successful agriculturist one has to know how to do the right thing at 

 the right time all the time. 



.Vn instance of how the Upper Manning agriculturist uses kiln-drying to 

 advantage is shown in the manner in which he is able to remove a crop of 

 maize and pumpkins off the land, by sowing the pumpkins whilst the maize 

 is in the early stages of growth. Usually four or five rows of maize are 

 sown leaving a space for the pumpkins at the ordinary distance. By the 

 time the maize is removed the pumpkins are ready to " run," and ploughing 

 up to the vines can then be done without any hindrance. 



Weeds controlled more easily. — Being able to plough land earlier is a 

 great help in the destruction of weed growth. Whilst the farmer is waiting 

 for the maize to ripen naturally, summer grass and other summer weeds are 

 also making growtli and ripening their seed for the next season. By 

 ploughing under before the seeds mature, a field can gradually be cleared in 

 a large measure. 



Kiln-drying at the present time is confined almost exclusively to the 

 fanners around Charity Creek and Mt. George, Upper Manning River, 

 several kilns liaving been erected in close proximity. Its adoption- is 

 strongly recommended to other districts of the coast, more especially the 

 Macleay, which is renowned for the production of maize, and districts like 

 the Combo3'ne, where the season is comparatively short. The introduction of 

 kiln-drying to the Macleay should greatly assist in the desire of the farmers 

 to have the maize readv for market about Christmas time. 



